In the streets of the Dominican Republic, the scene of adolescents smoking is very common Electronic cigarette (Vaper), and adults with conventional cigarettes (Tobacco), without knowing the risks that this implies for health.
Therefore, pulmonologists indicate that there is no in this life a sure way or harmless of smoking.
The World Health Organization states that tobacco kills up to half of the people who consume it. Similarly, more than 8 million people die from tobacco. 7 million of these deaths are due to direct tobacco consumption and around 1.2 million are a consequence of non-smokers’ exposure to second-hand smoke.
Smoking in all its presentations is harmful to health, as stated by the pulmonologist Magdelyne Ceballos de Ocumarez, when speaking about smoking and the damage it entails to health.
He pointed out that the difference between the use of tobacco and the electronic cigarette is that both are harmful. While both cannot be comparable, because conventional smoking is more harmful to health. However, for the Vaper, more studies are needed to certify all the damage it can cause.
He asserted that he does not recommend electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, since they all have nicotine.
He also pointed out that electronic cigarettes are electronic devices and their use is recent. Its main components are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, sweeteners or flavorings. They contain liquid vapingand within the nicotine that when heated, can generate acroline, carbon monoxide and diacetyl that is highly carcinogenic.
Until recently they were considered harmless; however, more and more is known about the harmful effects that its consumption is associated with health.
In another order, the specialist made reference to the fact that conventional tobacco has more than 2,000 substances that do harm and of which, at least 200 cause cancer.
Among the elements of tobacco are arsenic, lead, ammonia, benzene, carbon monoxide, nitrosamines, cyanuric acid, benzopyrene, and carnium. All these components are harmful and a large proportion of them cause cancer.
Meanwhile, the hooka has 30 percent tobacco along with all its derivatives. Also 70 percent molasses, which is called Tabamel, which is a special type of tobacco.
We lack more scientific research, and studies that can support all the long-term damage caused by both the hooka and the electronic cigarette, supported Galena.
Health effects of smoking
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco use is responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer mortality, 95 percent of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 50 percent of cardiovascular mortality and 30 percent of deaths from any type of cancer.
In the Dominican territory, a significant number of people die each year as a result of tobacco consumption, of all the deaths that occur in the population over thirty-five years of age.
Madeline Ceballos states that the risk of developing pneumonia in any form of smoking has been demonstrated. Because smoking increases the susceptibility of contracting pathogens, especially bacteria, which affect; to the lung, and airways.
“Patients who smoke hooka or Vape have been seen to develop pulmonary access, which is linked to the use of these devices, and it has been seen that they can end in the death of the patient, or they evolve torpidly in an unfavorable way,” he said. Ceballos.
If the patient is over 60 years old, is a smoker, and suffers from some type of health deficiency, his infectious picture may evolve in a more torpid way.
Smokers are also at risk of infertility, in both sexes. A common condition is erectile diffusion in men.
other effects
He stressed that smoking produces a significant environmental impact, because it exposes both the environment and the rest of the population to harmful compounds.
He also explained that at a social level it affects the economy of many of the consumers. Low-income people who consume the product allocate a large part of their money to its purchase, being able to use it for basic needs.
In the same way, he explained that it affects the health sector due to the high cost and treatment of associated diseases.
recommendations
Ceballos considers that measures should be created in the Dominican population, regulating the use of tobacco in all sectors.
Also create social awareness of all the risks involved in the consumption of any form of smoking. Increasing the price of tobacco is another recommendation.
Finally, he invited the entire Dominican population to quit smoking, not only for themselves, but for the health of those around them, and the environment.
“If it is not possible for this patient to take the initiative to quit smoking, I invite him to visit the Pulmonologist who is the person with the greatest expertise and who will probably be able to guide him on his way to quit smoking,” Magdelyne said. Ceballos de Ocumarez, Pulmonologist-Internist.
